Key Insights
Why did Austin Harroff's behavior change drastically after his first year in college?
Austin struggled with a deep sense of inadequacy and felt his peers didn't accept him. He began abusing substances, including alcohol, marijuana, Vyvanse, hallucinogens, and MDMA, which led to oscillating between highs and lows of anxiety and depression.
What did Austin believe about himself during his psychotic episode?
Austin believed he was no longer human, specifically that he was half horse and half dog, which aligns with clinical lycanthropy delusions where individuals believe they are akin to werewolves.
How did Austin's family initially respond to his strange behavior after returning home from college?
Initially, his family locked their bedroom doors to prevent Austin from disturbing them during his night patrols. They later confronted him about drug use, focusing on getting him clean, but his behavior remained erratic even after he claimed to be drug-free.
What was the immediate cause of Austin's psychotic episode according to his account?
Austin claimed he saw a dark figure with a white face he believed to be evil, prompting him to run into John and Michelle's garage seeking help, which led to the attack.
How did the forensic psychologist, Philip Resnick, explain Austin's behavior during the attack?
Resnick concluded that Austin was in a psychotic state, specifically suffering from clinical lycanthropy delusions, as evidenced by his continued face-biting despite threats, tasers, and physical harm, which a sane person would typically avoid.
What was the outcome of Austin Harroff's trial?
Austin was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022, based on the assessment by forensic psychologist Philip Resnick, who concluded he was in a psychotic state during the attack.
Chapters
- Austin excelled in high school, both academically and athletically.
- He was accepted into a prestigious pre-med program at Florida State University.
- Despite outward success, Austin struggled with feelings of inadequacy and began abusing various substances.
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